Behavior-deterring collar with emergency override

ABSTRACT

A pet collar is provided with a collar command unit, which may include a stimulator feature for discouraging undesirable behavior and a sensor for detecting the undesirable behavior. A controller in the collar command unit electronically communicates with the stimulator and the sensor. The collar command unit also includes a receiver for receiving an event signal from a remote device, such as a building occupant protection system or cellular telephone, which is indicative of an emergency situation. When the pet exhibits the undesirable behavior, the controller allows the stimulator to deliver a deterrent stimulus. However, when the event signal is received, the controller overrides the stimulator feature, preventing the delivery of the deterrent stimulus to the pet. Additionally or alternately, the collar may include a transmitter for transmitting a response to the remote device and a tracking chip for tracking the location of the pet during or after the event.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/815,960, filed Aug. 1, 2015, which was granted on Sep. 4, 2018 asU.S. Pat. No. 10,064,391, and which further claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/032,105, filed on Aug. 1, 2014, andU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/053,130, filed on Sep. 20,2014, both of which are entitled “Integrated Building OccupantProtection System for Persons and Pets,” the entirety of the priordisclosures being incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of pet products and,specifically, to those products for deterring specific animal behaviors.In particular, the present disclosure provides one such product in theform of a collar-associated collar command unit, which is responsive toa building occupant protection system (including, for example, a firealarm unit). The collar command unit overrides the behavior-deterringfeatures, when the building occupant protection system detects a threat.

BACKGROUND

One known technique to discourage a dog from barking or from performinganother behavior is to outfit the dog with a collar or similar devicecapable of administering a deterring stimulus when the dog exhibits theundesirable behavior. The device is capable of detecting when the dog isbarking or vocalizing by sensing vibrations in the dog's throat. Thedevice then delivers a deterring stimulus to the dog, such as anelectric shock, discomforting vibration, a sprayed chemical irritant, ora sound. The deterring stimulus typically lasts as long as the dog barksor vocalizes. When the dog ceases to make sounds, the deterring stimulusstops. In this way, such anti-bark devices purport to do no lasting harmto the dog, and the dog is trained to not bark, thereby avoiding thedeterring stimulus.

A similar device is used to train a dog to stay in a particular area.The dog's owner or handler will designate a geographic area within whichthe animal is to remain. If the dog approaches or crosses the boundaryof the geographic area, the device will deliver a deterring stimulus tothe dog. Over time, the dog learns to stay within the designatedgeographic area.

One difficulty in utilizing such devices is the threat of harm to dogs,in the event of an emergency or dangerous situation. For example, a dogtrapped in a burning building will bark and attempt to leave itsdesignated geographic area, even if its collar is delivering a deterringstimulus. Thus, a dog may sustain severe injury from prolonged exposureto chemical irritants or from a prolonged electric shock, whileperforming a behavior that might actually be desirable in the specificexceptional circumstance.

A pet owner or animal trainer can manually disable such anti-barkfunctions on such devices in certain circumstances. For example, a dog'sowner might enable the anti-bark function of the dog's collar at nightto prevent the dog from barking while the owner's family is sleeping,but disable the collar during the day when the family is awake andinteracting with the dog. However, such manual changes do not provideadequate protection for the dog in emergency situations. By theirnature, emergencies (such as a fire, earthquake, or intruder) capturethe dog owner's immediate attention and minimize the dog owner'sopportunity to disable the anti-bark collar, thereby putting the dog atrisk of serious injury or death.

What is needed in the industry is a behavior-deterrent collar, whichincorporates a deterrent stimulus that can be disabled in the event ofan emergency. An additional benefit would be realized by providing acollar having a means for locating a dog during an emergency event.

SUMMARY OF THE PRIOR ART

There are a number of bark-control or perimeter-control collarsdescribed in the patent literature, a few of which are summarized below.Additionally, there are examples of collars being provided with trackingchips. However, none of the prior art teaches a behavior-deterringcollar, which interacts with the alarm system of the home to disable thedeterring stimulus and/or to pinpoint the location of the pet.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,367 describes an apparatus used for traininganimals, especially dogs. The apparatus takes the form of a collar to beworn by a dog. The collar is capable of receiving a coded radio signal.When the collar receives such a signal, it delivers a stimulus (e.g., anelectric shock) to the dog. A human training the dog can use a boundarywire to set an area within which the dog is desired to remain. If thedog attempts to leave the area, it receives a stimulus from the collar.This perimeter-control collar can be adjusted to deliver different typesof stimuli, different frequencies of stimulus, and different intensitiesof stimulus.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,420,473 describes a collar whose function is to assistthe pet's owner in determining the pet's location in the event of anemergency. The collar uses a radio frequency transmitter that works incooperation with a smoke detector, carbon monoxide alarm, or securityalarm. When the collar perceives an emergency situation, the collarbegins to sound an audible alarm, and a light flashes on the collar toassist the owner in locating the pet.

European Patent No. EP 1,551,220 describes an animal collar that detectsvibrations from the animal's vocal cords. When the collar detects thesevibrations, it sprays a chemical substance to the animal's face to deterthe animal from barking or vocalizing. The collar administerssuccessively larger doses of the chemical substance if the animal failsto stop barking or vocalizing.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,783,212 describes an animal collar with an integratedelectronics system. The patent describes devices that are not merely“receivers” or “transmitters” but that are capable of delivering anelectrical or electronic signal to an animal wearing the device. This isembodied in a bark-control collar that sends an electric shock to a dogwhen the bark-control collar detects the dog barking.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,862,378 describes a security and tracking system,apparatus, and method used to locate persons, animals, and possessionsin an emergency situation. A signaling unit, which includes a GPSantenna, a cellular antenna, a radio antenna, or a wireless antenna, canbe placed in an animal collar, thereby allowing the pet owner to locatethe animal wearing the collar if the animal is lost or stolen.

What the prior art fails to show is any means whereby the stimulusgenerated by the collar can be automatically and selectively controlledin circumstances where such stimulus may be inappropriate or unwanted.Moreover, the prior art fails to teach a collar that communicates with abuilding occupant protection system (including an alarm unit) toidentify the specific location of a pet in the event of an emergency.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A pet collar is provided with a collar command unit, which may include astimulator feature for discouraging undesirable behavior (e.g., barkingor leaving a designated geographic area) and a sensor for detecting theundesirable behavior. A controller in the collar command unitelectronically communicates with the stimulator and the sensor. Thecollar command unit also includes a receiver for receiving or perceivingan event signal, for example, from a remote device, such as a buildingoccupant protection system or cellular telephone, which is indicative ofan emergency situation. When the pet exhibits the undesirable behavior,the controller allows the stimulator to deliver a deterrent stimulus.However, when the event signal is received or perceived, the controlleroverrides the behavior-deterring feature, preventing the delivery of thedeterrent stimulus to the pet for exhibiting the behavior. Additionallyor alternately, the collar may include a transmitter for transmitting aresponse to the remote device and a tracking chip for tracking thelocation of the pet during or after the event.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a pet collar thatprovides the pet with a deterrent stimulus, such as an electric orstatic shock, a sound, a chemical irritant spray, a vibration, a light,or a clamping pressure applied to the pet's skin. The behavior stimulusis delivered by a stimulator, which is mounted on a strap of the collar,within a strap of the collar, or on the collar command unit. The presentcollar command unit prevents the stimulator from delivering the behaviorstimulus, when the receiver receives an event signal indicative of atriggering threat having been detected.

The collar's feature of deterring an undesirable action or behavior canbe enabled, disabled, or overridden. When a pet performs the undesirablebehavior, the sensor detects the undesirable behavior. Assuming thebehavior-deterring feature is active (i.e., enabled and not overridden),the detection of the undesirable behavior causes the stimulator todeliver a deterrent stimulus to the pet. If the behavior-deterringfeature is not active (i.e., disabled or overridden), the stimulatorwill not deliver a deterrent stimulus to the pet, even if the sensordetects that the pet is exhibiting the undesirable behavior.

In the event of a triggering threat (such as an environmental hazard orother emergency), an electronic receiver in the collar command unitreceives an event signal. If the behavior feature is enabled, thereceipt of the event signal overrides the behavior-deterring feature fora period of time. If the stimulator is providing a behavior-deterringstimulus to the animal at the time the event signal is received, thestimulus is stopped. Overriding the behavior-deterrent feature in theevent of a triggering threat (e.g., a fire) prevents the pet from beingcorrected for exhibiting the behavior during the event.

In another embodiment, when the electronic receiver receives an eventsignal, a tracking feature within the collar command unit is activatedfor a period of time. The tracking feature is deactivated when theperiod of time has lapsed.

In one or more embodiments, when the electronic receiver receives anevent signal, a transmitter within the collar command unit is activatedfor a period of time. The transmitter transmits a signal to a buildingoccupant protection system. The signal may include data that thebuilding occupant protection system uses to identify that the signal wassent by a collar associated with a pet and/or to determine that thebehavior deterrent feature was overridden. Moreover, the signal may alsoinclude data that the building occupant protection system uses torecognize the identity of the pet associated with the collar and todetermine the specific location of the pet.

The present device is normally used on the neck of an animal as part ofa collar, but the scope of the invention is not limited to use on theneck. In one embodiment, the device is intended to prevent the pet frombarking or other vocalization. In other embodiments, the device isintended to keep the pet within a designated geographic area; to trackor locate the pet; to monitor the health or activity of the pet; and/orto identify the pet and its owner. In the latter cases, there is nofunctional need for the device to be placed on the neck because thedevice does not need to detect vibrations in, or sounds from, the pet'sthroat. Accordingly, the device may be located elsewhere on the pet, andthe device may be used for pets other than dogs (such as cats).

In one embodiment, the present collar works in conjunction with abuilding occupant protection system. When the building occupantprotection system detects a triggering threat, the system transmits anevent signal to an electronic receiver in the collar command unit wornby the pet. Once the electronic receiver receives the event signal fromthe building occupant protection system, the behavior-deterring featureis overridden, preventing the stimulator from delivering a deterrentstimulus to the pet for exhibiting the behavior.

In another embodiment, a hazard detector is mounted on or within thecollar or collar command unit. When the hazard detector detects a hazard(such as smoke) or an audible warning signal (such as the sound of analarm unit), the hazard detector transmits an event signal to theelectronic receiver, which overrides the behavior-deterring feature.

In a further embodiment, the receiver itself functions as a detector,for example, of smoke, heat, or another hazard. When the electronicreceiver detects one or more hazards, the controller overrides thebehavior-deterring feature.

These and other aspects of the present disclosure will now be describedby way of example with reference to the detailed disclosure and theaccompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present products and methods,including the best mode thereof and directed to one of ordinary skill inthe art, is set forth in the present specification, which make referenceto the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a pet collar having a collarcommand unit, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is an exemplary block diagram, which illustrates the steps takento deter an animal that is wearing the collar command unit of FIG. 1from exhibiting undesirable behavior;

FIG. 2B is an exemplary flow diagram, which illustrates the steps takento prevent an animal that is wearing the collar command unit of FIG. 1from leaving a designated geographic area;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary flow diagram according to one aspect of thepresent disclosure, which illustrates the steps taken in response to athreat sensed by one of a building occupant protection system, acollar-mounted hazard detector, or a receiver in the collar commandunit;

FIG. 4A is an exemplary flow diagram according to another aspect of thepresent disclosure, which illustrates the steps taken to override abehavior-deterring feature in the collar command unit of FIG. 1, inresponse to an event signal transmitted to a receiver in the collarcommand unit; and

FIG. 4B is an exemplary flow diagram according to yet another aspect ofthe present disclosure, which illustrates the steps taken to override abehavior-deterring feature in the collar command unit of FIG. 1, inresponse to a manual command from a remote device;

FIG. 4C is an exemplary flow diagram according to another aspect of thepresent disclosure, which illustrates the steps taken to locate a petwearing a collar command unit of FIG. 1 (but without abehavior-deterring stimulator), in response to an event signaltransmitted to a receiver in the collar command unit;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flow diagram according to a further aspect of thepresent disclosure, which illustrates the steps taken to locate a petwearing a collar command unit of FIG. 1, in an embodiment where areceiver in the collar command unit scans for an event signal inresponse to vocalization from the pet or in response to a time variable;and

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flow diagram according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure, which illustrates the steps taken to automaticallyenable and disable the behavior-deterring feature of the collar commandunit of FIG. 1, using a counting mechanism contained therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will be made now in detail to embodiments of the inventiveproducts and methods, one or more examples of which are illustrated inthe drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of theinvention(s), not limitation of the invention(s). In fact, it will beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that various modificationsand variations can be made in the present invention without departingfrom the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, featuresillustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used withanother embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it isintended that the present invention covers such modifications andvariations as fall within the scope of the appended claims and theirequivalents.

One embodiment of the present pet collar command unit 4 is shown inFIG. 1. The collar command unit 4 is affixed to a collar 1 having astrap 2 that is made from fabric, leather, plastic, fiberglass, acombination thereof, or from another material having acceptablestructural integrity. The strap 2 can be tightened or loosened aroundthe animal's body with the use of a closure device 3. As illustrated,the closure device 3 is a buckle and a series of holes. However, otherclosure devices may instead be used, including, but not limited to,latches, snaps, hook-and-loop (VELCRO®) fabrics, magnets, buttons,and/or combinations thereof.

The collar command unit 4 is associated with the strap 2. The collarcommand unit 4 may be integral with the strap 2, as illustrated, or maybe mounted to the strap 2, for example, by feeding the strap 2 throughslots on a rear surface of a housing 18 of the collar command unit 4. Inyet another embodiment (not shown), the collar command unit 4 may be apendant-type device, which is hung from the strap 2. Finally, althoughillustrated as having a generally rectangular shape, it should beunderstood that the collar command unit 4 may have any shape deemedcomfortable for a particular pet, while being sized appropriately tohouse the component hardware and being located conveniently for accessby the pet owner.

The collar command unit 4 includes a processing unit (or “controller”)11 that is operably connected to a receiver 7 and, optionally, atransmitter 16. The controller 11 may include a counting mechanism, ortimer, 17. The collar command unit 4 also includes and a power supply 9and, optionally, an on/off switch or button 5. In some instances, thepower supply 9 is a battery and is perhaps a rechargeable battery. Insome cases, the power supply 9 may be wirelessly rechargeable. A light15 may be used to indicate that the collar command unit 4 is activeand/or that an event mode is active and/or that the power supply 9 needsrecharging. In some instances, the collar command unit 4 may include auser interface 10 operably connected to the controller 11.

Sensors:

The collar command unit 4 may further include a bark detector 6, one ormore hazard detectors (collectively referred to herein with the numeral8), and a tracking chip 12 (such as a GPS tracking chip conforming toNMEA 3.01 protocol; a Wi-Fi tracking chip conforming to IEEE 802.11protocol or its subsequent versions; or a BLUETOOTH® low-energy beaconconforming to IEEE 802.15.1 protocol, its equivalents, or subsequentversions), all of which are operably connected to the controller 11.Additionally, sensors 14, such as vibration detectors or vitalmonitoring detectors, may be mounted in or on the inside face of thestrap 2 and be operably connected through the strap 2 to the controller11. The vibration detectors 14 detect vibrations caused by actions, suchas barking or growling, from the animal's vocal cords. In another case,the bark detector 6 detects sounds, vibrations, or a combinationthereof, eliminating the need for strap-mounted vibration detectors 14.

Sensors may detect one or more of the location of the collar commandunit 4, angular position of the device, accelerometer, data, gravitysensor data, gyroscope data, lateral acceleration, rotation vector, stepcounter, step detector, charging status, or bark recognition, any ofwhich (alone or in combination) is suggestive of the collar command unit4 being worn by the pet at the time of the event signal.

In a further instance, the tracking chip 12 detects the pet's locationrelative to the boundaries of a pre-determined perimeter and/or thepet's global position. The tracking chip 12 may be used in collarcommand units 4 that do not include a bark detector 6 or vibrationdetectors 14, but which may or may not include a behavior-deterringstimulator 13 (discussed below). That is, the collar command unit 4 mayserve only to assist the pet owner in locating the pet in an emergencysituation by providing location information in transmissions to a remotedevice. With this location capability, the collar command unit 4 isuseful for pets not known for vocalizing (such as cats) or for petswhose behavior ordinarily does not require stimulation to correct.

Some tracking chips use the proximity of the pet to a predefinedboundary, such as a buried wire, to trigger the stimulator 13. When thepet approaches or crosses the boundary, the tracking chip 12 detects thepet's location and, assuming the behavior-deterring feature is active(i.e., enabled and not overridden), the stimulator 13 is allowed todeliver a deterrent stimulus to the pet to encourage the pet to returnto the designated area.

Other tracking chips (e.g., Wi-Fi or BLUETOOTH®-based chips) create avirtual boundary defined by the strength of the signal between a baseunit and the pet's collar. With these tracking chips, a constant signalis provided to the collar command unit 4 by a separate base station,when the behavior-deterring feature is active (i.e., enabled and notoverridden). If the pet strays beyond the designated boundary andoutside the range of the wireless transmission, the absence of thesignal prompts the stimulator 13 to deliver a stimulus to the pet toencourage the pet to return to the designated area.

Interestingly, this same technology can be employed for bark controloverride as well. In a scenario contemplated herein, the absence of thetransmission signal overrides the bark-control behavior feature. Such aconfiguration may be useful for overriding bark control when a pet istaken for a walk outside the predefined geographic area. Additionally,in the event of an emergency, it may be useful for the bark controlfeature to be overridden (for example, by the alarm unit), if thefrightened pet leaves the designated area and the pet's barking aids thepet owner in locating the pet.

The tracking chip 12 may include Global Positioning Satellite (GPS)technology that determines the pet's global location. The GPS-basedtracking chip may be used alone or in conjunction with one of the othertypes of tracking chips described above. In one embodiment, theperimeter control feature may rely on the strength of a wireless signal(e.g., a Wi-Fi or BLUETOOTH® signal), while the GPS tracking chip may beused to determine the location of the pet after the pet has strayed fromthe predefined geographic area or after the alarm unit has stoppedtransmitting the event signal. With this configuration, the GPS trackingchip becomes enabled when the pet is beyond the range of the wirelesssignal.

When a GPS-based tracking chip is used for perimeter control, the petowner or his designee defines a boundary within which the pet is toremain. When the perimeter control behavior-deterring feature is active(i.e., enabled and not overridden) and the pet crosses the boundary, thestimulator 13 delivers a deterrent stimulus to the pet to encourage thepet to return to the designated area.

One or more various other sensors may be present or substituted in thecollar command unit 4, including, but not limited to: a sensor thatmonitors the animal's vital signs; a sensor that functions as atransceiver to receive and send wireless data; a sensor that functionsas a receiver to receive wireless data; a sensor that functions as aslave device that receives instructions from a separate master device; asensor that functions as a BLUETOOTH® device; and a sensor that is acombination of one or more vibration detectors 14, a device used forlocation 12, and/or a BLUETOOTH® device.

Stimulator:

In one embodiment, the collar command unit 4 delivers a deterrentstimulus when sensors (6 and/or 14) detect a behavior that isundesirable or when the tracking chip 12, as part of a perimeter controlsystem, detects a straying behavior that is undesirable. Althoughillustrated in FIG. 1 as prongs that deliver an electric or static shockto the pet, the behavior-deterring stimulator 13 may alternately oradditionally include one or more of: (a) a mechanism that sprays orreleases non-toxic chemicals, such as scented chemicals; (b) anoisemaker that produces a warning or unpleasant sound that is audibleto the pet (e.g., at a frequency heard by a pet, but not necessarily ahuman); (c) a mechanism that produces vibrations that are felt by thepet; (d) a mechanism that produces light (e.g., a flashing light) in aspectrum visible to the pet; and (e) a mechanism that clamps or assertspressure onto the skin of the pet.

It should be understood that the scope of the present disclosure is notlimited to any particular type of inhibiting stimuli. For example, theinhibiting stimuli may include sounds that are too high in pitch forhumans to hear or odors to which a pet is particularly sensitive.

In one aspect, a pet owner or trainer employs the user interface 10 onthe collar command unit 4: (a) to enable and disable thebehavior-deterring feature of the collar command unit 4; (b) to enableand disable one or more sensors (6, 12, 14) that determine if theundesirable behavior is being exhibited by the pet; (c) to enable anddisable the stimulator (e.g., 13) that delivers the correctionalstimulus to the pet; and/or (d) to adjust the level of deterrentstimulus applied to the pet.

Alternately, or additionally, a pet owner or trainer uses a wirelesssignal from a separate device, such as a cellular telephone application:(a) to enable and disable the behavior-deterring feature of the collarcommand unit 4; (b) to enable and disable one or more sensors (e.g., 6,12, 14) that determine if the undesirable behavior is being exhibited bythe pet; (c) to enable and disable the stimulator (e.g., 13) thatdelivers the correctional stimulus to the pet; and/or (d) to adjust thelevel of deterrent stimulus applied to the pet. The wireless signal isrecognized by the receiver 7 of the collar command unit 4.

For simplicity, reference is made herein to the inhibition of a singletype of undesirable behavior at a time. However, it should be understoodthat the present collar 1 and collar command unit 4 may be used toinhibit two types of undesirable behavior, using the same or differentstimulators 13 and sensors 6, 12, 14. For example, the bark detectingsensor 6 and/or the vibration sensors 14 may be used to sense unwantedvocalization by the pet, which is corrected by the stimulator 13.Additionally, the tracking chip 12 may be used to determine if the pethas strayed outside a geographic boundary, in which case the same or adifferent stimulator 13 may be used to encourage the pet to return tothe designated area. It also should be understood that eachbehavior-deterring feature may be enabled or disabled individually ortogether, as dictated by the needs of the pet owner.

Receiver:

The receiver 7 is an electronic device, as described below, whichreceives an event signal. The receiver 7 may also be comprised oftransceiver, or any other multi-functional device that is able toreceive a wireless signal. Within the collar command unit 4, thereceiver 7 is coupled (a) directly to the controller 11, which iscoupled to other devices within the collar command unit 4; or (b) to anyor all the components within collar command unit 4, either directly orindirectly by any means known in the art. In some instances, thereceiver 7 receives a wireless signal from a building occupantprotection system. Alternately, the receiver 7 may receive a wirelesssignal from a separate device, such as a remote device (e.g., cellulartelephone operated by the pet owner or a signal from a third-partymonitoring service).

More specifically, the receiver 7 may comprise any device for receivingwireless data, such as a wireless communication module where the signalis compatible with the communication protocol standards for (a) wirelesslocal area networks (WLANs, such as Wi-Fi) and/or (b) wireless personalarea networks (WPANs, such as wireless USB, BLUETOOTH®, X-BEE®, ZIGBEE®)and/or (c) cellular telephone communications (such as short messageservice (SMS) and multimedia messaging service (MMS)) and/or (d) anyother wireless protocol, such as IEEE 802.11 or its subsequent versions.In one version contemplated herein, the receiver 7 comprises aBLUETOOTH® transceiver, such as a BLUETOOTH® low-energy beacon, examplesof which are an HC-05 wireless radio frequency transceiver and an HM-10iBeacon chip. With these low-energy beacons, the receiver 7 uses littleoperating power and operates in frequencies between 2400 and 2483.4 MHz(including a guard band of 2 MHz at the lower end of the frequency rangeand 3.5 MHz at the upper end of the frequency range). In one version,the receiver 7 uses a radio (broadcast) communications system, so that avisual line of sight between the receiver 7 and the transmitting deviceis not required, provided a quasi-optical wireless path is available.

In a first mode of operation, an event signal is transmitted to thereceiver 7 from a building occupant protection system. In another modeof operation, the collar command unit 4 contains one or more hazarddetectors 8 that detect hazards, such as smoke, heat, carbon monoxide,or loud sounds, such as sirens from fire or burglar alarms, fireworks,or gunfire. When the hazard detector 8 detects one or more of thesehazards, the hazard detector 8 transmits an event signal to the receiver7. In an alternate mode of operation, the receiver 7 itself is equippedas a hazard detector that detects hazards, such as smoke, heat, carbonmonoxide, or loud sounds, and that interprets the detection of thehazard as an event signal.

Transmitter:

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the collarcommand unit 4 is provided with a transmitter 16 that transmits awireless signal to a separate device when activated. The wirelesstransmitter 16 may also be comprised of transceiver, or any othermulti-functional device that is able to transmit a wireless signal. Inone exemplary case, the wireless transmitter 16 is coupled to thecontroller 11, which is coupled to other devices within the command unit4. In another instance, the wireless transmitter 16 within the collarcommand unit 4 may be electrically connected to any or all thecomponents within collar command unit 4 either directly or indirectly byany means known in the art.

More specifically, the wireless transmitter 16 may comprise any devicefor sending wireless data, such as a wireless communication module wherethe signal is compatible with the communication protocol standards for(a) wireless local area networks (WLANs, such as Wi-Fi) and/or (b)wireless personal area networks (WPANs, such as wireless USB,BLUETOOTH®, X-BEE®, ZIGBEE®) and/or (c) cellular telephonecommunications (such as short message service (SMS) and multimediamessaging service (MMS)) and/or (d) any other wireless protocol, such asIEEE 802.11 or its subsequent versions. The transmitter 16 may alsoinclude a Wi-Fi or cellular-capable chip. In one version contemplatedherein, the transmitter 16 transmits data wirelessly to a buildingoccupant protection system. In other versions, the transmitter 16transmits data wirelessly to a remote device, such as a cellulartelephone associated with the pet owner or a device associated with athird-party monitoring company.

In one exemplary configuration, the wireless transmitter 16 comprises aBLUETOOTH® transceiver, such as a BLUETOOTH® low-energy beacon, examplesof which are an HC-05 wireless radio frequency transceiver and an HM-10iBeacon chip. With these low-energy beacons, the transmitter 16 useslittle operating power and operates in frequencies between 2400 and2483.4 MHz (including a guard band of 2 MHz at the lower end of thefrequency range and 3.5 MHz at the upper end of the frequency range). Inone version, the transmitter 16 uses a radio (broadcast) communicationssystem, so that a visual line of sight between the transmitter 16 andthe receiving device is not required, provided a quasi-optical wirelesspath is available.

In some versions of the present collar command unit 4, the pet owner mayprogram the controller 11 with contact information for the person(s) tobe notified in the event that a triggering threat is detected. Suchcontact information may include the phone number, e-mail address, orother contact information for one or more persons to be notified. When atriggering event is detected, the wireless transmitter 16 may alert thecontact(s) programmed into the memory of the controller 11, for example,by calling, sending an e-mail, and/or sending an SMS or MMS text messageto a device (such as a cellular telephone) having an application forreceiving such messages.

In at least one example, the transmitter 16 may use a SubscriberIdentity Module (SIM) card or a Global System for Communication (GSM)connection to connect to the internet, using general packet radioservice (GPRS) on the 2G and 3G cellular communications system's globalsystem. Advantageously, because the transmitter 16 is capable of sendingshort message service (SMS) text messages, the collar command unit 4functions similarly to a cellular telephone, which may be useful in theevent that the building lacks electricity or internet connection.

In some instances, the transmitter 16 may wirelessly connect to a remotedevice or remote station and may rely on the remote device or station'stelephone circuit or internet connection for transmitting a message. Forexample, the transmitter 16 from the collar command unit 4 may transmita message to a remote device (e.g., an alarm unit) in a building, andthe remote device may use the building's home telephone line or internetconnection, using a Wi-Fi circuit, to communicate with the pet owner,third-party monitoring company, or emergency service personnel.

It should be understood that, although the receiver 7 and thetransmitter 16 are described as separate components of the collarcommand unit 4, a single component (such as a transceiver) may becapable of functioning as both the receiver 7 and the transmitter 16.Thus, the present disclosure is intended to encompass both collarcommand units 4 having separate receivers 7 and transmitters 16 andcollar command units 4 having integrated transceivers having receivingand transmitting functions.

Counting Mechanism:

In one or more embodiments, the controller 11 includes a countingmechanism 17 to determine a time variable specific to a particularaction or response.

In a first case, when the receiver 7 receives or recognizes an eventsignal of a triggering threat, the controller 11 initiates a responsefrom the transmitter 16, as discussed above. Simultaneously, thecontroller 11 initiates the counting mechanism 17 for a prescribedperiod of time, during which period the transmitter 16 is active. Whenthe prescribed period of time lapses, the transmitter 16 is turned offwithout the need for intervention by the pet owner. The countingmechanism 17 may also use the same or a different prescribed period oftime to define a period during which the behavior-deterring feature isoverridden (a “cooling-off” period), after which period thebehavior-deterring feature is returned automatically to an enabledsetting without intervention by the pet owner. By using the countingmechanism 17 for the re-enablement of the deterrent feature, it is notnecessary for the pet to be within close enough proximity to the alarmunit transmitter to receive a signal indicating the threat is no longerdetected.

In a second case (shown in FIG. 6), the controller 11 initiates thecounting mechanism 17 for a period of time during which a pet mightexhibit an undesirable behavior that is to be deterred. For example, thecounting mechanism 17 may be used to define a block of time (such asduring the night) during which the pet is to be deterred from barking.When the counting mechanism 17 reaches the end of the prescribed periodof time (e.g., 8 hours) or reaches a designated time (e.g., 8:00 a.m.),the controller 11 disables the behavior-deterring feature without theneed for subsequent intervention by the pet owner. The pet owner may setthe prescribed period of time, via the user interface 10 or via awireless signal transmitted by a remote device (e.g., a cellulartelephone) that is received and processed by the receiver 7.

The counting mechanism 17 may comprise any method of keeping or tellingtime, including, but not limited to, a real-time clock (RTC), a hardwareclock, a clock generator, a timer chip, a timing integrated circuit, atimer, or a third-party counter identifier, such as may be accessiblevia an internet connection. In one version contemplated herein, thecounting mechanism 17 is a hardware clock. In another version, thecounting mechanism 17 may additionally use a RTC to track the date andtime. While reference may be made herein to the counting mechanism 17counting down a prescribed period, it should be recognized that thecounting mechanism 17 may instead measure time to a prescribed point intime (such as a particular hour), based on settings of a real-time clockor other mechanism.

In one implementation of the present collar, the hardware clock utilizesa millis( ) function, which is part of the core library of the ARDUINO®open-source computer hardware and software company. The millis( )function is used to determine the number of milliseconds that havelapsed since a given task was started/reset. The return value willoverflow to 0 after approximately 49.7 days (2^32 milliseconds). Themillis( ) counting is derived from the controller frequency (16 MHz onmost ARDUINO® boards) and, therefore, is only as accurate as the crystaloscillator or ceramic resonator used on the board. The millis( ) timingis based on Timer0 of the board.

In addition to the hardware clock described above, the countingmechanism 17 may further include a real-time clock (RTC) to keep thedate and time. One exemplary RTC suitable for such purpose is a “DS3231”time-keeping chip, which is commercially available from ARDUINO®. TheDS3231 is a low-cost, extremely accurate 120 real-time clock with anintegrated temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) and crystalresonator, which incorporates a battery input and which maintainsaccurate timekeeping when main power to the device is interrupted. Theintegration of the crystal resonator enhances the long-term accuracy ofthe device.

The RTC maintains seconds, minutes, hours, day, date, month, and yearinformation. The date at the end of the month is automatically adjustedfor months with fewer than 31 days, including corrections for leap year.The clock operates in either the 24-hour or 12-hour format with an AM/PMindicator. Two programmable time-of-day alarms and a programmablesquare-wave output are provided. Address and data are transferredserially through an I2C bidirectional bus. A precisiontemperature-compensated voltage reference and comparator circuitmonitors the status of the positive supply voltage (VCC) to detect powerfailures, to provide a reset output, and to automatically switch to thebackup supply when necessary. Additionally, the reset (RST) pin ismonitored as a push-button input for generating a microprocessor (μP)reset.

When a pet owner acquires the collar command unit 4, it may be necessaryfor the pet owner to set up the collar command unit 4 to interact with abuilding occupant protection system, as will be discussed furtherherein. The pet owner may use the user interface 10 to set up the collarcommand unit 4. Alternately, the pet owner may use a remote device, suchas a cellular telephone or computer, which communicates wirelessly withthe collar command unit 4. Each collar command unit 4 is preferablyprovided with at least one of the following unique identifiers: a MediaAccess Control (MAC) address, a Service Set Identification (SSID), or anInternet Protocol (IP) address. In one embodiment, the collar commandunit 4 is provided with a MAC address, which is imprinted onto a networkcard in a read-only format. Additionally, the pet owner may assign adevice name to the collar command unit 4 to affiliate the uniqueidentifier with the collar 1 and to affiliate the collar command unit 4with a particular pet (e.g., “Fido's Collar”).

FIG. 2A is an exemplary flow diagram of the steps 100 taken todiscourage a pet that is wearing the collar command unit 4 fromexhibiting an undesirable action or behavior. When the behavior featureis active (i.e., enabled and not overridden) (step 102), the stimulator13 is set to deliver an adverse stimulus to the pet if the pet exhibitsthe undesirable behavior (step 107). If the behavior-deterring featureis not active (e.g., is disabled or overridden) (step 102, 112), thenthe stimulator 13 will not deliver an adverse stimulus to the pet (step105) for exhibiting that particular behavior (e.g., barking or otherwisevocalizing).

When the behavior-deterring feature is enabled, sensors (e.g., 6, 12, or14) monitor whether the pet is exhibiting the undesirable behavior (step104) and detect when the pet does exhibit the undesirable behavior (step106). If the pet does not exhibit the undesirable behavior, thestimulator 13 does not deliver a deterrent stimulus to the pet (step105) for exhibiting the behavior. When the pet does exhibit theundesirable behavior (step 104), the sensor (e.g., 6, 12, or 14) detectsthe undesirable behavior (step 106), and the stimulator 13 delivers anadverse stimulus to the pet (step 107), unless an override command hasalready been received or is received by the collar command unit 4 tooverride the stimulator feature (step 112). When the sensors (e.g., 6,12, or 14) detect that the undesirable behavior has stopped (step 108),or if the behavior-deterring feature has been overridden (step 112), thestimulator 13 stops delivering the adverse stimulus to the pet (step109). The behavior feature may be overridden (step 112) by an eventsignal, which is transmitted either by a human user (as shown in FIG.4B) or by a component building occupant protection system (as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4A). If the pet continues the undesirable behavior and ifthe behavior feature has not been overridden, the stimulator 13continues to deliver the adverse stimulus to the pet (step 107) for apredefined period of time measured by the counting mechanism 17.

FIG. 2B is an exemplary flow diagram of the steps 200 taken todiscourage a pet that is wearing the collar command unit 4 from leavinga designated geographic area. A human user designates the area withinwhich the animal is to remain (step 151), for example, by burying wiresin a yard or by defining a zone using Wi-Fi or GPS systems that interactwith the tracking chip 12 in the collar command unit 4. When thestimulator feature is enabled and not overridden (step 152), thestimulator 13 is set to deliver an adverse stimulus to the pet on anysuch occasions when the pet approaches the boundary of the designatedarea (as in the case of buried wires) or strays outside the boundary (asin the case of Wi-Fi or GPS systems) (step 157). If the deterrentfeature is not enabled (e.g., is overridden) (step 152, 162), then thestimulator does not deliver an adverse stimulus to the pet (step 155)for exhibiting that particular behavior (for example, leaving thedesignated area).

When the pet does leave the designated area (step 154), the trackingchip 12 detects that the pet is outside the designated area (step 156),and the stimulator 13 delivers an adverse stimulus to the pet (step157). When the pet returns to the designated area (step 158), or if thebehavior feature has been over-ridden (step 162), the stimulator 13stops delivering the adverse stimulus to the pet (step 159). Thebehavior feature may be overridden (step 162), either by a human user orby an event signal (as shown in FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B). If the petcontinues remains outside the designated area and if the behaviorfeature has not been overridden, the stimulator 13 continues to deliverthe adverse stimulus to the pet (step 157) for a predefined period oftime measured by the counting mechanism 17.

The present collar command unit 4 may be operated in conjunction with abuilding occupant protection system, which may be used to override thebehavior-deterring features of the collar 1 in the event of anemergency. The building occupant protection system may include one ormore alarm units or threat detectors, which generate an event signalwhen a triggering threat—including, but not limited to, fire, smoke,carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, earthquake, or forcible entry—isdetected.

The alarm units in the building occupant protection system may includetransmitters, receivers, and/or transceivers for communicating with thecollar command unit 4 and, in some instances, with a remote device (suchas a cellular phone) associated with the pet owner or a computerassociated with a third-party monitoring company. The alarm units in thebuilding occupant protection system may further produce an audiblesignal, as a notification for the building's occupants.

As with the collar command unit 4, the alarm units in the buildingoccupant protection system may require initialization before first use.Specifically, each alarm unit may be pre-programmed by, or on behalf of,the pet owner (or home owner or occupant) to affiliate the alarm with aparticular room in which the alarm is installed (e.g., “Master Bedroom”or “Kitchen”). Each alarm unit—with its own MAC address or other uniqueidentifier—communicates its location to the other alarm units, in theevent of an emergency. The alarm units work cooperatively with oneanother to identify the location of the pet within the building, asdescribed below. More details about the building occupant protectionsystem may be learned from a review of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/815,996, entitled “Integrated Building Occupant Protection System forPersons and Pets,” filed concurrently herewith, the disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIG. 3 illustrates the steps 300 taken in response to a threat sensed byone of a building occupant protection system, a collar-mounted hazarddetector 8, or a receiver 7 in the collar command unit 4. The buildingoccupant protection system is armed to detect threats (step 301).Alternately, or in addition, hazard detectors 8 or the receiver 7 in thecollar command unit 4 may be equipped to detect threats, including theaudible signal from an alarm unit sensing a threat (also step 301). Ifno triggering threat is detected by the building occupant protectionsystem, the hazard detectors 8, or the receiver 7 (step 301), then noevent signal is generated (step 302). The building occupant protectionsystem remains in a monitoring state, and the collar command unit 4remains in its normal operational state, which may includebehavior-deterring features for vocalization and/or perimeter control.In its normal operational state, the transmitter 16 of the collarcommand unit 4 is inactive (that is, not transmitting a signal).

If one or more triggering threats are detected by the building occupantprotection system or by the hazard detectors 8 (step 301), then atransceiver in the building occupant protection system and/or the hazarddetectors 8 generates an event signal (step 303). The event signal istransmitted to the receiver 7 of the collar command unit 4 (step 304).If the receiver 7 has the capability to detect a threat, the receiver 7interprets the threat stimulus (e.g., smoke, heat, or a sound from analarm unit) as a threat. Once the threat has been communicated to orrecognized by the receiver 7, the controller 11 activates an “eventmode,” and the controller 11 overrides the behavior-deterring feature(step 306), if previously enabled, to prevent the pet from beingdisciplined for exhibiting the behavior during the event.

The event mode is activated each time an event signal is received, orperceived, by the receiver 7. The counting mechanism 17 is reset by thecontroller 11, when the event mode begins and at each time an eventsignal is received by the receiver 7. That is, the counting mechanism 17does not operate on a delay, which prevents subsequent event signalsfrom being received and acted upon. Rather, the counting mechanism 17 isreset with each event signal, and the prescribed period to be measuredby the counting mechanism 17 is, in effect, measured from the lastreceived event signal.

FIG. 4A is an exemplary flow diagram, which illustrates the steps 400that occur when an event signal overrides the behavior feature of thecollar command unit 4, without human involvement. As described above,when an event signal is generated (step 303) by the building occupantprotection system (and/or the hazard detectors 8), the signal iscommunicated to the receiver 7 of the collar command unit 4 (step 304),and the controller 11 activates the event mode. The controller 11overrides the behavior feature (step 306), and a stimulus is notdelivered to the pet during the event for exhibiting the behavior (step109).

When the collar command unit 4 enters its event mode, the transmitter 16may transmit a wireless signal to a remote device (step 411), as will bediscussed in further detail below. When an event signal is no longergenerated (step 412), or the counting mechanism 17 reaches the end of aprescribed interval, several actions occur: namely, the event mode isdeactivated; and the behavior feature override is turned off (step 413).Thus, at the end of the event time period, the behavior feature isreturned to pre-event settings. As before, the counting mechanism 17 isreset with each event signal, and the prescribed period to be measuredby the counting mechanism 17 is measured from the last received eventsignal.

FIG. 4B is an exemplary flow diagram, which illustrates the steps 500that occur when a human being selectively overrides the behavior featureof the collar command unit 4, based on receipt of an event signal fromthe building occupant protection system or the hazard detector 8 in thecollar command unit 4 itself. When an event signal is generated (step303) by the building occupant protection system (and/or the hazarddetectors 8), the signal is communicated wirelessly to a first remotedevice (e.g., cellular phone of the occupant or the computer of athird-party monitoring company of the building occupant protectionsystem) (step 552) for action by an operator of the device (step 553).If the operator of the device does not elect to deliver an event signal(step 553), no signal is transmitted to the collar command unit 4 (step554), and the behavior feature is not overridden.

However, if the operator of the first remote device chooses to deliveran event signal (step 553), an event signal is transmitted to thereceiver 7 associated with the collar command unit 4 (step 304). In thisinstance, the event mode is activated, and the behavior feature isoverridden (step 306). With the event mode activated, the transmitter 7may transmit a wireless signal to the first remote device or to a secondremote device, such as an alarm unit in the building occupant protectionsystem (step 411). When an event signal is no longer received (step412), the operator sends a second signal to re-enable the stimulator 13(not shown), or the counting mechanism 17 indicates the event timeperiod has expired (step 415). At this point, the event mode of thecollar command unit 4 is deactivated, and the behavior feature overrideis turned off (step 413). Thus, at the end of the event time period, thebehavior feature is returned to pre-event settings.

FIG. 4C is an exemplary flow diagram, which illustrates the steps 600that occur to locate a pet in such embodiments of the present collarthat do not include a behavior-deterring stimulator 13. In thisinstance, an event signal is generated (step 303), as described above.The event signal is transmitted to the receiver 7 in the collar commandunit 4 (step 604). The receipt of the event signal by the receiver 7causes the controller 11 to activate the transmitter 16 to deliver aresponse signal (step 611) to a device, such as an alarm unit of thebuilding occupant protection system. Using the response signal(s) fromthe transmitter 16, the building occupant protection system determinesthe location of the pet (step 612), as discussed in further detailbelow. Optionally, the building occupant protection system communicatesthe location of the pet (step 613), either through an audibleannouncement or through a message sent to a device, such as the petowner's cellular phone (also discussed below). If the event signalcontinues to be received (step 614) and the pet remains in the vicinityof the alarm unit, the transmitter 16 continues to send a responsesignal (step 611). However, if the event signal ceases (or if the pethas evacuated the building and is no longer receiving the event signal),the transmitter 16 does not send a response signal (step 615).

In one embodiment, sensors in the collar command unit 4 may be used todetermine if the pet is moving or active before the event signal beingtransmitted to the receiver 7 (step 604) and the response signal beingtransmitted by the collar command unit 4 (step 611). Sensors may detectone or more of the location of the collar command unit 4, angularposition of the device, accelerometer, data, gravity sensor data,gyroscope data, lateral acceleration, rotation vector, step counter,step detector, charging status, or bark recognition, any of which (aloneor in combination) is suggestive of the collar command unit 4 being wornby the pet at the time of the event signal. This optional step increasesthe confidence of the pet owner in assessing the location of his pet,rather than just the collar command unit 4 associated with the pet thatmay have been removed for some reason.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flow diagram according to a further aspect of thepresent disclosure, which illustrates the steps taken to locate a petwearing a collar command unit of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, a receiverin the collar command unit scans for an event signal either in responseto vocalization from the pet or with some periodic frequency. In someinstances, it may be desirable to have the receiver 7 activated toreceive event signals, for example, from the building occupantprotection system, when prompted by vocalization from the pet or withsome periodic frequency. Such a system may be useful in conservingbattery life in the power supply 9.

In this process 700, when the sensors 6 or 14 detect vocalization (e.g.,barking) from the pet or with some periodic frequency dictated by thecounting mechanism 17 (step 701), the controller 11 activates thereceiver 7 (step 702). The receiver 7 scans for an event signal (step703), which is indicative of a threat or triggering event. If no eventsignal is being received, the controller 11 determines whether thecollar 1 is provided with a stimulator 13 (step 705). If the collar 1 isequipped with a stimulator feature, the process proceeds according toFIG. 2A.

Otherwise, the event signal is received by the receiver 7 (step 704),prompting the controller 11 to direct the transmitter 16 in the collarcommand unit 4 to transmit a response signal to the device (step 711).Using the response signal(s) from the transmitter 16, the buildingoccupant protection system determines the location of the pet (step712), as discussed in further detail below. Optionally, the buildingoccupant protection system communicates the location of the pet (step713), either through an audible announcement or through a message sentto a device, such as the pet owner's cellular phone (also discussedbelow). If the event signal continues to be received (step 714) and thepet remains in the vicinity of the alarm unit, the transmitter 16continues to send a response signal (step 711). However, if the eventsignal ceases (or if the pet has evacuated the building and is no longerreceiving the event signal), the transmitter 16 does not send a responsesignal (step 715).

In any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 5 and asdescribed above, when the receiver 7 receives the event signal and thecontroller 11 activates its event mode, the controller 11 may alsoactivate the transmitter 16 of the collar command unit 4. Thetransmitter 16 transmits a response signal to the building occupantprotection system. (It should be understood that, if a transceiver isused in place of the receiver 7 and the transmitter 16, the controller11 initiates the transmitting function of the transceiver.)

The signal transmitted by the transmitter 16 in the collar command unit4 is received by a receiver (or transceiver) in at least one of thealarm units of the building occupant protection system. Each alarm unitin the building occupant protection system preferably has a controllerthat processes the received signal and that recognizes that the responsecame from a collar command unit 4 associated with a pet. If the collarcommand unit 4 has been previously associated with a particular dog orother pet, the alarm unit recognizes the particular pet assigned to thatcollar command unit 4. For instance, the building occupant protectiondevice recognizes the unique identifier of the collar (e.g., the devicename, MAC address, SSID, and/or IP address associated with “Fido'sCollar”).

Alternately, the alarm unit in the building occupant protection systemrecognizes the type of device (that is, a collar command unit 4) that issending a response signal and associates that type of device with a pet.Multiple pets, each equipped with its own collar command unit 4, may berecognized individually (“Fido's Collar” and “Fluffy's Collar”) orcollectively (“two pets detected”.)

In some cases, the response from the transmitter 16 on the collarcommand unit 4 may convey information, such as, but not limited to,location, angular position of the device, accelerometer data, gravitysensor data, gyroscope data, lateral acceleration, rotation vector, stepcounter, step detector, charging status, or bark recognition, any ofwhich (alone or in combination) is suggestive of the collar command unit4 being worn by the pet at the time of the event signal. In other words,such information assists the building occupant protection system inassessing the likelihood that a particular collar command unit 4 isbeing worn by the pet and prevents the building occupant protectionsystem from locating a particular collar command unit 4 that is notbeing worn by the pet. In other instances, the controller 11 may processone or more of the above pieces of information to determine if the petis wearing the collar command unit 4. If the pet is not wearing thecollar command unit 4 that has received the event signal, the controller11 does not activate the transmitter 16 to send a response transmission.

The building occupant protection system uses one or more oftime-distance arrival of the signal, triangulation using multipledevices, trilateration, received signal strength indicator (RSSI),radio-frequency (RF) fingerprinting, and GPS, which allow the buildingoccupant protection system to determine the particular location withinthe building where the pet is located. In one embodiment, when one ofthe alarm units in the interconnected network of the building occupantprotection system detects an environmental threat, every alarm unit inthe system uses close range (nearest sensor) technology to pinpoint thelocation of the pet within the building.

Specifically, when an alarm unit detects a threat, each alarm unitpreferably sends a transmission to seek the presence of a pet wearingthe present collar 1, and, in response, the transmitter 16 of the collarcommand unit 4 sends a response signal for a prescribed period of time,which is received by one or more alarm unit(s) in the vicinity of thepet. Having the response signal from the collar command unit 4 ceaseafter the prescribed period allows the receiving alarm unit in thebuilding occupant protection system to assess the strength of signal,for example, to determine the likelihood of a pet being in the same roomas the alarm unit. To be considered as an indicator of the pet'slocation, the strength of signal is preferably above a certain,pre-defined threshold. The strength of signal received by other alarmunits in the system is compared simultaneously with that received by thefirst alarm unit to determine if the pet is closer to a different alarmunit (and, therefore, in a different room).

In one embodiment, the building occupant protection system determinesthe location of the pet and broadcasts an audible assessment report at acertain frequency. Upon hearing the assessment report that includes thelocation of the pet (e.g, “Fido detected in Living Room”), the pet ownermay quickly locate his pet, even if the pet is hiding beneath a couch ora bed. This process may be repeated for multiple pets, each with its owncollar command unit 4 (e.g., “Fido detected in Living Room” and “Fluffydetected in Kitchen”) Alternately, if the collar command unit 4 is notassociated with a particular pet by name, the broadcast message mayinclude only that a pet was detected in a particular room (“Pet detectedin Bedroom 2”).

As long as the building occupant protection system is in event mode(that is, having detected a threat), each alarm unit will continuouslybroadcast the event signal. In one version, when the receiver 7 of thecollar command unit 4 receives each event signal, the controller 11resets the counting mechanism 17 that determines how much longer thecontroller 11 will remain in event mode.

In another embodiment, the controller 11 activates the tracking chip 12,when an event signal is received. The activation of the tracking chip 12allows the pet owner, the building occupant protection system, or athird-party monitoring company to track the location of the pet by GPSor similar tracking services. Thus, the pet owner is able to determinewhether the pet wearing the collar command unit 4 is within the buildingor whether the pet is safely outside.

With reference to steps 304, 604, and 704 shown in FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, 4C,and 5, it should be appreciated that the building occupant protectionsystem and collar command unit 4 may normally operate in a communicationmode, where the system and collar command unit 4 are routinelytransmitting and receiving signals from one another. In thisconfiguration, instead of an event signal being transmitted to thereceiver (steps 304, 604, 704), the absence of a signal—that is, a breakin the communication—may be indicative of an event having been detected.Alternately, the building occupant protection system may send adifferent type of signal (e.g., a signal at a different frequency) whenan event is detected to differentiate the event signal from routinetransmissions. Thus, both the receipt of an event signal and the lack ofreceipt of a signal are contemplated herein.

The building occupant protection system may also conduct a test bytransmitting an event signal, even though an actual threat is notdetected. In this instance, the collar command unit 4 performs as thoughan event signal is received by sending a response transmission (from thetransmitter 16) and by overriding the stimulator 13 for a prescribedperiod of time.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flow diagram according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure, which illustrates the steps taken to automaticallyenable and disable the stimulator feature of the collar command unit ofFIG. 1, using a counting mechanism contained therein. This process 800may be useful, for instance, when enabling bark control for an extendedperiod. The pet owner programs the collar command unit 4 to enable thebark control feature at a certain time or for a certain period of time(step 801). Similarly, the pet owner programs the collar command unit 4to disable the bark control feature at a certain time or for a certainperiod of time (step 801). For example, the pet owner may choose to havethe bark control enabled at nighttime, beginning at 9 P.M. andcontinuing for 10 hours (until 7 A.M.).

The counting mechanism 17 in the collar command unit 4 measures the time(step 802). As discussed above, if a real-time clock is used as thecounting mechanism, the counting mechanism 17 indicates when thespecified times are reached, and the controller 11 enables the barkcontrol feature (step 803) or disables the bark control feature (step804), as appropriate. When the counting mechanism 17 is active, thestimulator feature is disabled. When the counting mechanism 17 becomesinactive, the stimulator feature is enabled automatically and withoutfurther intervention by the pet owner. Other counting mechanisms may beused instead of, or in addition to, the real-time clock.

The preceding discussion merely illustrates the principles of thepresent behavior-deterring collar and its method of operation. It willbe appreciated that those skilled in the art may be able to devisevarious arrangements, which, although not explicitly described or shownherein, embody the principles of the inventions and are included withintheir spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples and conditionallanguage recited herein are principally and expressly intended to be foreducational purposes and to aid the reader in understanding theprinciples of the inventions and the concepts contributed by theinventor to furthering the art and are to be construed as being withoutlimitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions.

Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, andembodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, areintended to encompass both structural and functional equivalentsthereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include bothcurrently known equivalents and equivalents developed in the future,i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardlessof structure. Terms such as “first”, “second”, and the like are intendedonly to aid in the reader's understanding of the drawings and are not tobe construed as limiting the invention being described to any particularorientation or configuration, unless recited in the claims.

This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read inconnection with the figures of the accompanying drawings, which are tobe considered part of the entire description of the invention. Theforegoing description provides a teaching of the subject matter of theappended claims, including the best mode known at the time of filing,but is in no way intended to preclude foreseeable variationscontemplated by those of skill in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for discouraging undesirable behaviorfrom a pet, the device comprising: a collar command unit, the collarcommand unit comprising: a controller; a first sensor for detecting anundesirable behavior exhibited by the pet, the first sensor being inelectronic communication with the controller; a behavior-deterringfeature for delivering a deterrent stimulus to the pet, thebehavior-deterring feature being in electronic communication with thecontroller; and a receiver for receiving an event signal, the receiverbeing in electronic communication with the controller; wherein, when thesensor detects the undesirable behavior exhibited by the pet, thecontroller allows the stimulator to deliver a deterrent stimulus to thepet; and wherein, when the receiver receives the event signal inresponse to a triggering threat, the controller overrides thebehavior-deterring feature, thereby preventing the stimulator fromdelivering the deterrent stimulus to the pet for exhibiting thebehavior.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a strap; whereinthe collar command unit is one of: integrated with the strap; attachedto the strap; and a pendant hung from the strap.
 3. The device of claim1, wherein the undesirable behavior detected by the first sensor andexhibited by the pet is one or more of vocalization and travelingoutside a predefined geographic area.
 4. The device of claim 1, whereinthe behavior-deterring feature is a stimulator located on or within thecollar command unit, the behavior-deterring feature comprising at leastone of: (i) prongs that deliver an electric shock; (ii) prongs thatdeliver a static shock; (iii) a mechanism that sprays or releasesnon-toxic chemicals; (iv) a noisemaker that produces a warning soundaudible to the pet; (v) a mechanism that produces vibrations that arefelt by the pet; (vi) a mechanism that produces light in a spectrumvisible to the pet; and (vii) a mechanism that clamps or assertspressure onto the skin of the pet.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein thereceiver receives a signal compatible with the communication protocolstandards associated with one or more of (a) wireless local areanetworks; (b) wireless personal area networks; (c) cellular telephonecommunications; and (d) wireless protocol IEEE 802.11 and its subsequentversions.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the receiver comprises alow-energy transceiver.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the collarcommand unit further comprises a transmitter for transmitting a wirelessresponse to the remote device, after the receiver receives an eventsignal.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter transmits asignal compatible with the communication protocol standards associatedwith one or more of (a) wireless local area networks; (b) wirelesspersonal area networks; (c) cellular telephone communications; and (d)wireless protocol IEEE 802.11 and its subsequent versions.
 9. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the remote source is one of a building occupantprotection system, a cellular telephone associated with a pet owner, anda device associated with a third-party monitoring company.
 10. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the collar command unit comprises at leastone second sensor, the at least one second sensor being in communicationwith the controller and being configured to detect at least onetriggering threat; and wherein the triggering threat is one or more offire, smoke, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, radon, earthquake, loudnoises, and forcible entry.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein thecollar command unit further comprises a tracking chip in communicationwith the controller, the tracking chip being activated by the eventsignal received by the receiver.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein thecollar command unit further comprises a rechargeable power supply incommunication with the controller.
 13. The device of claim 1, whereinthe controller further comprises a counting mechanism selected from thegroup consisting of a real-time clock (RTC), a hardware clock, a clockgenerator, a timer chip, a timing integrated circuit, a timer, and athird-party counter identifier; wherein the counting mechanism countsdown a prescribed time interval beginning when the receiver receives theevent signal; and wherein, when the prescribed time interval expires,the controller returns the behavior-deterring feature to an originalsetting.
 14. A device for discouraging undesirable behavior from a pet,the device comprising: a collar command unit, the collar command unitcomprising: a controller; a first sensor for detecting an undesirablebehavior exhibited by the pet, the first sensor being in electroniccommunication with the controller; a behavior-deterring feature fordelivering a deterrent stimulus to the pet, the behavior-deterringfeature being in electronic communication with the controller; and acounting mechanism associated with the controller; wherein, if thebehavior-deterring feature is not active when the counting mechanismreaches a prescribed time, the behavior-deterring feature is returned toan active setting automatically.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein theundesirable behavior exhibited by the pet is vocalization.
 16. Thedevice of claim 14, wherein the behavior-deterring feature uses astimulator located on or within the collar command unit, thebehavior-deterring feature comprising at least one of: (i) prongs thatdeliver an electric shock; (ii) prongs that deliver a static shock;(iii) a mechanism that sprays or releases non-toxic chemicals; (iv) anoisemaker that produces a warning sound audible to the pet; (v) amechanism that produces vibrations that are felt by the pet; (vi) amechanism that produces light in a spectrum visible to the pet; and(vii) a mechanism that clamps or asserts pressure onto the skin of thepet.
 17. The device of claim 14, wherein the counting mechanism isselected from the group consisting of a real-time clock (RTC), ahardware clock, a clock generator, a timer chip, a timing integratedcircuit, a timer, and a third-party counter identifier; and wherein theactivity of the counting mechanism is triggered at a predefined time orcontinues for a predefined period.